Elizabeth Dean Rainwater

Elizabeth D. Rainwater, affectionately known as "Boo-Boo," passed away on

Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the age of 55.

She was born in January 1971 in Adair County, Kentucky, to Glenda J. Rainwater and Kenneth R. Rainwater. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her maternal and paternal grandparents; her brothers, Timothy Rainwater, David Rainwater, and Gregory Rainwater; and her sisters, Kimberly Rainwater and Melissa Willis.

Elizabeth excelled in her education, earning her Associate of Science in Nursing from Regents College in 1996 and becoming a fully fledged Registered Nurse in

2002. She also held certification in critical care nursing. Her deep passion for caring for the ill, disabled, and dying defined her 30-year career spanning acute care, rehabilitation, long-term care, and skilled nursing. Even when an on the-job injury physically challenged her later in her career, she brought immense clinical knowledge, dedication, and compassion to the thousands of patients entrusted to her care, while mentoring hundreds of fellow nurses and medical professionals along the way.

Though fervent in her life's work, Elizabeth was also a gifted artist who created pieces in diverse styles: from pen and ink and muraling to stippling, pencil sketching, and calligraphy. An avid reader, she could often be found with a novel in hand, especially enjoying the works of John Grisham. She loved books so deeply that her massive personal library and who would help move it was an ongoing family discussion. Boo-Boo was also a passionate history buff with a deep fascination for World War II, biographies, and documentaries, even attempting translations of firsthand historical accounts from their original languages.

Ever the Renaissance woman, Elizabeth was quick-witted and never hesitant to flourish a clever turn of phrase with a well-placed expletive, when the situation called for it (and for her, it often did). Above all, Boo-Boo was selfless. She would give anyone the shirt off her back and would work tirelessly if a loved one or stranger needed help. "Selfless" barely scratches the surface of the breadth of her love. She was the first person called when someone was sick, the voice sought for advice, and the rock everyone could rely on. Even while hanging on by a thread herself, she always showed up because her people needed her. She was our Boo-Boo, and she can never be replaced.

Though she never had biological children of her own, she poured her life into shaping the lives of so many, especially her siblings and their children.